Colts Mock Draft Round-Up
By Evan Reller
Jul 24, 2014; Hollywood, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Eric Kendricks poses for a photo during the Pac-12 Media Day at the Studios at Paramount. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Charles Davis‘s Pick:
Cameron Erving, Florida, C
"His move from LT to C during the 2014 season was impressive, and helped him move up draft boards. He gets to grow with QB Andrew Luck, and become what Jeff Saturday was to Peyton Manning in Indy."
Eddie Goldman, Florida State, DT
"Goldman’s size and movement should help the interior of a Colts defense that needs bulk."
Landon Collins, Alabama, SS
"The ex-Alabama standout is a versatile playmaker capable of playing down near the box or roaming as a deep middle defender."
Eric Kendricks, UCLA, ILB
"The Colts have used free agency to tighten up in important spots. There is still room for an active inside linebacker who can lead a defense"
Breakdown:
Erving can once again be ruled out since the Colts have greater needs on defense, but I would put center at the top of the offensive line wish list.
Collins is the pick that most Colts fans seem to want. They’ve essentially filled both starting spots, but Collins represents a solid long term option. The issue is that he’s clearly the best safety in a very weak safety draft class. He might be overvalued by many analysts and there’s a good chance that he’s gone by the 29th pick anyway.
Goldman might be the last playmaking defensive lineman available by this point in the draft. He has the potential to be a good pass rusher from the inside, but is at his best when stopping the run. Goldman is the kind of lineman who doesn’t just eat up space, but can penetrate and disrupt a run play. There might be better available linemen here, but Collins would fit in well.
Kendricks might be the best fit for the Colts in this draft. He combines the best attributes of the current Colts linebackers and would develop into a long-term starter for the team. The two problems would be that he might not be available and the Colts seem to love their current starters, likely viewing other positions as a higher need.